While successful blow dry bars are appearing all over the country it can often seem like women with textured hair are an afterthought of this booming business trend. Time restraints and poor training techniques can be a major hassle for someone whose hair requires more than a paddle brush and a plucky attitude.
Fortunately for us celebrated hair stylist Tippi Shorter has teamed up with entrepreneurs Ashley Harrington and Gordon Williams to launch Mane Hair Society, a one stop shop for fast and affordable hair styles that are curly girl friendly.
Recently I had the opportunity to speak with the Mane Hair Society founders at their inaugural pop up shop find out more about them and their brilliant new business below.
Shorter (seen below), who currently serves as Aveda’s Global Artistic Director for Textured Hair, has styled celebrity clients such as Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna. She said “You can really change someone’s life by giving them a makeover”. She referred to the importance of having one’s hairstyle fit into their lifestyle by saying that helping women find what works for them “is a super gratifying experience”.
Many women find it difficult to stay active for fear of wrecking their hairstyles. This was a big concern of both Harington’s and Shorter’s. “That’s the age old question.” said Shorter “We’ve been fighting our lifestyle, but you can come to Mane twice a week because it’s quick, efficient and it’s priced fairly”. “I’m someone who likes to work out” said Harrington “I like to sweat and I should be able to find a place that can accommodate me and get me in and out without spending a lot of money”.
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Shorter explained that when Harrington approached her about the idea their collaboration seemed “fated”. She even affectionately referred to her co-founders as her “kids”, remarking that she loved how unapologetic and “laser-focused” the two millennials were about their clear cut vision.
Mane Hair Society is about inclusion. They pride themselves on catering to women with all different hair textures including women who use relaxers as a means of maintaining their hairstyle. They are also more than just blowouts women who attended the public pop-up shop were treated to twist outs and other natural styles.
I was so elated by the concept of Mane Hair Society that I decided to give their services a try and it was truly money well spent. I have never had my hair completed so well in such a short time. What was usually at least an hour and a half process became simply 53 minutes from start to finish!
The difference was education. During our conversation previous to my styling Shorter described how detailed Mane Hair Society’s consultations were sharing that they included porosity testing and an effort to not only ensure that the client left with a successful result but also the knowledge needed to create regimen that was right for them.
Harrington stated “Women want to feel at their best, and when you get your hair done by someone who actually knows how to do your hair you feel different”. I definitely felt different after receiving my new ‘do. I couldn’t stop smiling and snapping selfies to the delight of my stylist.
Recently Mane Hair Society has launched the month long Ultimate Makeover Contest where one lucky contestant will win a free trip to New York City with a friend where they will receive the ultimate celebrity experience including a makeover by Tippi Shorter and a top makeup artist and tickets to an official New York Fashion Week show! Learn more about how YOU can have a chance to win this amazing contest prize. You never know you might run into a LoveBrownSugar contributor at the show!
What do you think of Mane Hair Society? Is it something you would be interested in? Sound off below!
Love love love this new salon format for women with textured hair! The industry is lacking such a business model. I would be willing to try this out and I hope great success for MANE. The curly haired community needs to stand behind and patronize this, not only to encourage the founders of MANE, but to also encourage other entrepreneurs to create services that cater to those who are often an afterthought.